An Overview on the Indium-Thallium (In-Tl) Shape Memory Alloy Nanowires

Abstract

The binary indium-thallium (In-Tl) alloy is a classic type of shape memory alloy with a low melting temperature. In-Tl nanowires (NWs) were prepared by a simple mechanical injection of liquid metal method using anodized aluminum oxide (AAO) as a template. Sample preparation procedures are given in detail, including the AAO fabrication and mechanical injection techniques. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was utilized to characterize the NWs. It was revealed that the NWs were composed of polycrystals with high crystallinity. By in situ heating the NWs in the TEM, reversible transformations between the parent and the martensite phases were observed in both large and small NWs. © 2012 Springer Science+Business Media New York and ASM International.